Jon Flanagan: Rangers is a fresh start for me after leaving Liverpool

Jon Flanagan hopes his move to Rangers will rebuild his career after troubled end at Liverpool. The 25-year-old right back has signed a two-year contract in Glasgow following the expiration of his Liverpool deal, the defender unable to re-establish himself at Anfield after seeing his Kop career derailed by injury.

Academy graduate Flanagan once looked set for a prolonged spell at his boyhood club, especially when he impressed under Brendan Rodgers. His form when Liverpool finished Premier League runners-up in 2014 earned him an England call-up. 

But he was then plagued by a knee problem, which kept him out for two years, after which he was unable to recapture his earlier form once Klopp took over.

After an unhappy period out of the first team picture, worse followed when Flanagan was convicted for assaulting his girlfriend last season – Flanagan given a 12-month community order. Now his former captain, Steven Gerrard, has provided a way back.

“I think this is a fresh start and I think it a platform for me to build on,” said Flanagan. “The past is the past and this is now time for a fresh start, and that is at Rangers and I can't wait to get going.”

Clearly the relationship with Gerrard was pivotal to the deal. 

“When I got the call off my agent and then spoke to Stevie, I think it was a no-brainer for me,” Flanagan told Rangers TV.

“I'm just delighted to be here and hopefully I can show all the fans what I'm about. I played with him at Liverpool for many years and I think he was a big part of me coming here.

“I know a lot about the club but Stevie was a massive influence on me coming here.”

Gerrard is drawing heavily on Anfield influences as he reshapes the Ibrox club. He has already signed another Liverpool youngster, Ovie Ejaria, on a season-long loan, and his backroom team includes numerous coaches taken from his ex-club’s Academy. He also appointed Gary McAllister as his assistant.

Rangers were drawn to face Macedonian side Shkupi in the first round of Europa League qualifying - the first of four potential rounds en route to a possible spot in the group stages of this year's competition - and Flanagan is confident the club is on the way up after a tough few years.

“Europe is a big attraction as well, and it's an extra bonus for the lads to work hard, to push on and get back into the European group stages,” he said.

“I think it is very exciting for Rangers now. There is the new manager, who has freshened things up, and he's brought a lot of players in. It's brilliant to be a Rangers fan now and to be a Rangers player.

“There are good times ahead, and hopefully we can push on now.”

As expected, Emre Can has finally completed his free transfer to Juventus. Can failed to agree a new deal at Anfield, leaving on a Bosman deal which the Italian side say is worth 16 million euros (£14m) to the player over the course of his four years.